Free National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the National Esthetics Written Practical Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An esthetician is choosing a disinfectant to wipe down the facial bed, trolley, and counter before the first client arrives. Which label claim set must the product show for this work-area disinfection?

   1. A. EPA-registered and labeled bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal
   2. B. EPA-registered and labeled bactericidal and fungicidal only
   3. C. FDA-approved and labeled antiseptic for use on skin and surfaces
   4. D. EPA-registered and labeled as a food-contact surface sanitizer

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The NIC Esthetics Practical CIB states that "EPA registered, disinfectant wipes that demonstrate bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal properties must be used." A product missing the virucidal claim, a skin antiseptic, or a sanitizer does not meet that three-part efficacy requirement for disinfecting the work area.

   Reference: NIC National Esthetics Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) — Important Instructions — Supplies

2. 2A massage cream made abroad is distributed to spas across the mainland United States. Under FDA cosmetic labeling rules, in what language must the label statements required by regulation appear?

   1. A. Spanish or English, at the manufacturer's choice
   2. B. The language of the country of manufacture
   3. C. English
   4. D. Any language, with a translation sheet inside

   Answer: C

   Explanation: FDA's Cosmetics Labeling Guide states: "All label or labeling statements required by law or regulation must be in the English language." The only exception is for products "distributed solely in Puerto Rico or a Territory where the predominant language is one other than English," which does not apply to mainland distribution.

   Reference: Cosmetics Labeling Guide — Label statements — English Language Statements

3. 3Resetting the station for a second client, the esthetician must disinfect every surface the client will touch. The stool seat is upholstered in cloth; the bed is vinyl, the bowl is glass, and the trolley is metal. Which surface cannot be made safe by disinfecting it?

   1. A. The cloth-upholstered stool seat
   2. B. The vinyl-covered facial bed
   3. C. The glass bowl on the trolley
   4. D. The metal trolley tray

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NIC's best practices define disinfecting as "The process of making a non-porous item safe for use." They note that "Common non-porous materials include glass, metal and plastic," while porous material "includes all paper, cardboard, and cloth items regardless of how they are labeled." The cloth seat is porous; the vinyl, glass, and metal surfaces are non-porous.

   Reference: NIC Executive Directors Infection Control Workgroup — 2016 Recommendations: Infection Control Best Practices — Section 1.B, Disinfect (page 2 of 13)

4. 4During an eyebrow wax, an esthetician uses single-use wooden spatulas to take soft wax from a shared wax pot. After applying wax to the brow with one spatula, what should happen before more wax is needed?

   1. A. Discard that spatula and take the next portion with a new spatula
   2. B. Wipe that spatula on a tissue and dip it back into the pot
   3. C. Keep that spatula for the same client and re-dip it once more
   4. D. Rinse that spatula in warm water and dip it back into the pot

   Answer: A

   Explanation: NIC's infection control best practices allow wax to be removed with a "Single-use spatula disposed of after a single dip/application." Re-dipping a spatula that has touched the client, even after wiping or rinsing it, carries skin debris back into the shared pot.

   Reference: NIC Executive Directors Infection Control Workgroup — 2016 Recommendations: Infection Control Best Practices — Section 9.A, Waxing Services (page 11 of 13)

5. 5A foundation's ingredient list does not appear to be in strict descending order near the end. Under FDA rules, how may ingredients present at 1 percent or less be listed?

   1. A. In any order, after the ingredients present at more than 1 percent
   2. B. Only by the words "and other ingredients" at the end of the list
   3. C. In any order, before the ingredients present at more than 1 percent
   4. D. Only on a separate leaflet that is packed inside the outer carton

   Answer: A

   Explanation: FDA's Cosmetics Labeling Guide states: "Ingredients present at a concentration not exceeding 1% may be listed in any order after the listing of the ingredients present at more than 1% in descending order of predominance." They must still be named, after the higher-concentration ingredients.

   Reference: Cosmetics Labeling Guide — Ingredient labeling — exceptions to descending order

6. 6NIC has adopted OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard for blood exposure. A spa that employs estheticians is buying warning labels for its regulated-waste containers. What color does that standard require for the labels?

   1. A. Magenta or purple symbol on a yellow background
   2. B. Fluorescent orange or orange-red, with contrasting lettering
   3. C. Black symbol on white, inside a red diamond border
   4. D. Yellow background with a black header panel

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The NIC Esthetics Practical CIB states that "NIC has adopted the following OSHA standards for Blood Exposure" and cites 1910.1030. That standard states: "These labels shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color." Magenta on yellow is the radiation symbol, a black symbol in a red diamond is a hazard communication pictogram, and yellow with a black panel is the caution-sign format; none is the biohazard label.

   Reference: NIC National Esthetics Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) — Important Instructions — Blood Exposure Procedures

7. 7A disinfectant wipe's label lists a 2-minute contact time. One minute after wiping the treatment trolley, the surface already looks dry. What should the esthetician do next?

   1. A. Leave the trolley to finish air-drying because the wipe was already applied
   2. B. Apply more disinfectant so the trolley stays visibly wet for the full 2 minutes
   3. C. Buff the trolley dry with a clean paper towel to remove the remaining residue
   4. D. Rinse the trolley with plain water and let it air-dry for the remaining minute

   Answer: B

   Explanation: EPA explains that "The surface should be visibly wet for the entire contact time. This may mean the product needs to be reapplied." A surface that dries before the labeled 2 minutes has not received the full contact time, so more product must be applied; drying, buffing, or rinsing early cuts the contact time short.

   Reference: Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectants — Directions for Use — contact time paragraph

8. 8A facial client reports a known reaction to one ingredient, and the esthetician checks the ingredient declaration on a retail moisturizer. In what order must the ingredients generally be listed on that label?

   1. A. In alphabetical order by common name
   2. B. In ascending order of concentration
   3. C. In the order they were added during manufacture
   4. D. In descending order of predominance

   Answer: D

   Explanation: FDA's labeling requirements state: "The ingredients must be declared in descending order of predominance." Exceptions apply only to ingredients at 1% or less and color additives. Alphabetical, ascending, or manufacturing order is not the required format.

   Reference: Summary of Cosmetics Labeling Requirements — Ingredient declaration paragraph

9. 9Between clients, a coworker suggests wiping the facial bed with 70% isopropyl alcohol instead of the salon's EPA-registered disinfectant. What reason does NIC's infection control best practice give for not recommending alcohol?

   1. A. It leaves a sticky film that must be rinsed off after the contact time
   2. B. It needs a 20–30 minute contact time and is extremely flammable
   3. C. It must first be diluted with water before it reaches full strength
   4. D. It is registered for food-contact surfaces but not for treatment beds

   Answer: B

   Explanation: NIC's best practices list isopropyl and ethyl alcohol as "Not recommended" and explain: "Alcohol is a poor disinfectant as it has a 20-30 minute contact time and is extremely flammable." The other reasons describe problems that are not the basis NIC gives.

   Reference: NIC Executive Directors Infection Control Workgroup — 2016 Recommendations: Infection Control Best Practices — Section 1.D, Disinfectant — comment (page 3 of 13)

10. 10A post-epilation soothing lotion's label carries its product claims in both English and Spanish. Under FDA cosmetic labeling rules, what follows from the Spanish text on the label?

    1. A. The Spanish text must be removed from labels sold in the United States
    2. B. Every statement required by regulation must also appear in Spanish
    3. C. The Spanish text may appear only on the back panel of the container
    4. D. Only the English statements count, so the Spanish text may be partial

    Answer: B

    Explanation: FDA's Cosmetics Labeling Guide states: "If the label contains any foreign language representation, all statements required by regulation must also appear on the label in the foreign language." English remains required as well; the Spanish text does not have to be removed or moved.

    Reference: Cosmetics Labeling Guide — Label statements — Foreign Language Statements